Washington Freedom's give-it-back game against San Francisco Unicorns
| Date | July 26, 2024 |
| Time | 6:00 AM IST |
| Venue | Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas |
| Format | T20 |
| Series | Major League Cricket 2024 |
Betting Odds
Our Predictions
- Travis Head has odds of 2.95 to be the Washington Freedom's best batsman.
- Finn Allen has odds of 3.40 to be the San Francisco Unicorns's best batsman.
- Lockie Ferguson has odds of 3.00 to be Washington Freedom's best bowler
- Haris Rauf has odds of 3.20 to be the San Francisco Unicorns's best bowler
MATCH PREVIEW
We are at the business end of the Major League Cricket 2024. Four teams have made it to the playoffs, and we will see the top two sides – Washington Freedom and San Francisco Unicorns in the Qualifier in their bid to reach the finals. The two sides met once at the league stage, where the Unicorns won the game decisively. However, Washinton Freedom has been the most consistent side, losing only once and having higher odds at the start of the game. The San Francisco Unicorns won't let Washington Freedom have it easy in the final and have their key players in good form. We expect this contest to go down the wire as both camps have their players in good form.
Washington Freedom Preview
Steven Smith will be proud of how his side has played in this tournament and are favorites on cricket betting sites. Apart from their 6-wicket loss in the last game against the San Fransisco Unicorns, they haven't put a foot wrong. The batting lineup has been on song, and the bowlers have played a complementary role. Smith will know Unicorns' strengths as they meet them again and shall look to lead from the front.
The opening pair of Travis Head and Steven Smith have done well, with close to 500 runs between them. The side needs a strong start from this pair. Andries Gous will look to anchor the innings in the middle order and allow Glenn Maxwell and Rachin Ravindra to express themselves. Mukhtar Ahmed, Obus Pienaar, and Marco Jansen will look to add quick runs in the lower middle order.
Marco Jansen and Jasdeep Singh must deliver a strong start with the new ball, as the Unicorns have a strong bowling attack. Saurabh Netravalkar and Lockie Ferguson will look to do well in the middle overs and prevent the batters from scoring quickly. The side will also need Ravindra and Maxwell to do well as the fifth bowler.
Expected Starting XI for Washington Freedom
Steven Smith (c), Travis Head, Andries Gous (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Maxwell, Mukhtar Ahmed, Obus Pienaar, Marco Jansen, Lockie Ferguson, Saurabh Netravalkar, Jasdeep Singh
San Francisco Unicorns Preview
Corey Anderson and his men have done well this season. Like their opponents in this game, the team has lost only once and enjoys good odds on cricket betting apps. The last win against Washington Freedom will inspire the team, and Anderson would like to use it as a springboard and go into the final high on confidence.
The opening pair of Finn Allen and Jake Fraser-McGurk hasn't been consistent, and the team needs a great show from them. Sanjay Krishnamurthi has been the team's find this year, and he will look to add runs with Matthew Short and Josh Inglis. Hassan Khan and Corey Anderson add firepower to the lineup and must do well in the final overs.
The bowling attack hasn't been at its best this year, and the side needs tight spells from Hassan Khan and Brody Couch with the new ball. Haris Rauf must use the conditions well and bowl good spells with Liam Plunkett in the middle overs. The team also needs Tajinder Dhillon and Anderson to stop the scoring rate.
Expected Starting XI for San Francisco Unicorns
Corey Anderson (c), Jake Fraser-McGurk, Finn Allen, Matthew Short, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Josh Inglis (wk), Hassan Khan, Liam Plunkett, Brody Couch, Tajinder Dhillon, Haris Rauf
TOSS: To Bowl First
It is tough to defend totals as the wicket gets better to bat on in the second innings. Bowlers can exploit the conditions in the early overs with the new ball. The side winning the toss would look to bowl first.
PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS
The skies over Dallas will have some cloud cover during the game. We expect good batting conditions; batsmen can play on the rise and score freely on this track. Bowlers shall have a tough time, and the side batting first must have 180 runs on the board to feel safe on this track.
OUR PREDICTION
The San Francisco Unicorns have done well in the tournament with the bat, but the bowling attack is a wear area for the team. They are up against a strong batting lineup and must get their acts together. Washington Freedom has been clinical this season and ticks all the boxes with the bat and the ball. Their top order has won them games, and the side has a slight edge in this contest.
Our prediction is for Washington Freedom to win
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